“They agreed to reschedule their talks in the very near future”, the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup told the media, refusing to comment on when the next date for talks would be. New Delhi also said it would allow a Special Investigation Team proposed by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for probe into the Pathankot strike.
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Reports earlier suggested that Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies had yesterday arrested 12 suspects of the banned Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), including its chief Masood Azhar, over links with the attack on Indian Air Force base in Pathankot.
It also welcomed the statement issued by Pakistani PMO detailing the status of action taken against those responsible for Pathankot terror attack. Jaishankar was scheduled to travel to Islamabad to hold talks with Chaudhary on Friday, but both the countries announced deferment of talks with “mutual consent” to “very near future”, MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
After much dithering, the Pakistan has finally made it publically know that indeed the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Maulana Masood Azhar has been picked up and was taken under “protective custody”.
The crackdown in Punjab province follows the arrests of several Jaish members this week, including leader Maulana Masood Azhar. On Azhar’s detention, Khalilullah said: “I am not aware of any such arrest”.
Pakistan has rejected some evidence furnished by India including phone numbers called by the terrorists from Pathankot.
Meanwhile, both Khalilullah and Swarup hinted that their national security advisers (NSAs) may meet before the FS-level talks.
The spokesman welcomed Pakistan’s announcement on Wednesday that JeM activists had been arrested and its offices sealed.
India says it has provided “actionable intelligence” to Pakistan to act against those who masterminded the Pathankot attack, one week after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi flew to Lahore and met Sharif.
“We welcome the steps taken by the Pakistan government against terror groups as positive steps”.
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The statement said Pakistan would remain engaged with India on this issue “in line with our decision to counter and completely eliminate terrorism”.
